Shloka 63

Adhyaya 89: शौचाचारलक्षणम् — सदाचार, भैक्ष्यचर्या, प्रायश्चित्त, द्रव्यशुद्धि, आशौच-निर्णय

Devanagari script

संहतानां महाभागा द्रव्याणां प्रोक्षणं स्मृतम् असंहतानां द्रव्याणां प्रत्येकं शौचमुच्यते

Transliteration

saṃhatānāṃ mahābhāgā dravyāṇāṃ prokṣaṇaṃ smṛtam asaṃhatānāṃ dravyāṇāṃ pratyekaṃ śaucamucyate

Translation

ഹേ മഹാഭാഗന്മാരേ, കൂട്ടമായി സൂക്ഷിച്ച ദ്രവ്യങ്ങളുടെ ശുദ്ധി പ്രോക്ഷണം (പവിത്രജലം തളിക്കൽ) എന്നു സ്മൃതിയിൽ പറയുന്നു; വേർതിരിച്ച് സൂക്ഷിച്ച ദ്രവ്യങ്ങളുടെ ശൗചം ഓരോന്നിനും പ്രത്യേകം എന്നു പ്രസ്താവിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• संहतानाम्: of things gathered together/in a bundle

• महाभागाः: O noble/blessed ones

• द्रव्याणाम्: of substances/material articles (ritual items)

• प्रोक्षणम्: sprinkling (with consecrated water)

• स्मृतम्: is remembered/declared (by tradition)

• असंहतानाम्: of things not gathered, separate

• द्रव्याणाम्: of substances

• प्रत्येकम्: individually, one by one

• शौचम्: purification/cleanliness/ritual purity

• उच्यते: is said/declared

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-ritual standards to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It gives a practical rule for shauca (ritual purity) of offerings and implements: grouped items are purified by prokṣaṇa (sprinkling), while separate items require individual purification—ensuring the dravya offered to the Linga is fit for Shiva-upachara.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Implicitly, it upholds Shiva as Pati (the Lord) approached through disciplined purity: the devotee (pashu) reduces pasha-like impurities by correct shauca, aligning outer action with inner sanctification before the presence of Mahadeva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual practice: prokṣaṇa and item-wise shauca for puja materials. Yogic takeaway: cultivate order and purity (bahya-shauca supporting antaḥ-shauca) as a preparatory limb for steady Shiva-bhakti and Pashupata-oriented sadhana.